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Master of Professional Accounting

Degree Level Postgraduate

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
City West

Duration
2 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
DMPC

Fees
AUD$ 42,000 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

English Language Requirements
  • IELTS total [6.5]
  • IELTS reading [6.0]
  • IELTS writing [6.0]
Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
082982M

  • Entry requirements

    Applicants are required to have one of the following:

    • A completed bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution or equivalent; or
    • A completed graduate diploma from a recognised higher education institution; or
    • A completed graduate certificate from a recognised higher education institution.

    Applicants who have:

    • completed a bachelor degree in a business discipline; or
    • completed a bachelor degree which includes a major in business, commerce, marketing or management; or
    • completed a graduate certificate in a business discipline,

    are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL (18 units) Advanced Standing and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.

    English language entry requirements

    International students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.
    English language test
    • IELTS total [6.5]
    • IELTS reading [6.0]
    • IELTS writing [6.0]
    Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)
    View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

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Aim

This program is designed for non-accounting graduates to provide professional postgraduate education in the application of knowledge for those seeking a career in accountancy and for others seeking to upgrade their knowledge and skills.

Content & Structure

This program satisfies the educational requirements for entry to Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand's professional program (the Chartered Accountants Program) and entry to CPA Australia's professional program (the CPA Program).

The program includes the opportunity to study CPA subjects as electives.

Note to Students: In completing any subject identified as a "CPA subject" in this list of subjects offered by the University of South Australia, you will not qualify as a CPA. To qualify as a CPA, you must meet ALL the requirements of the CPA Program as set by CPA Australia. Visit cpaaustralia.com.au/cpaprogram

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

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Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name Area and cat no. Units Reference  
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
People, Leadership and Performance BUSS 5114 4.5 Note(s): 1,4 Rule(s): 3
Accounting for Management M ACCT 5011 4.5 Note(s): 4,7 Rule(s): 3
Marketing Management MARK 5025 4.5 Note(s): 2,4 Rule(s): 3
Commercial Law M COML 5009 4.5 Rule(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, or 6)
Corporate Finance BUSS 5233 4.5 Rule(s): 4
Financial Accounting ACCT 5023 4.5
Economic Principles for Business ECON 5020 4.5 Note(s): 4,5 Rule(s): 3
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 3,6 Rule(s): 4
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2, or 3)
Advanced Accounting ACCT 5013 4.5
Information Systems for Business INFS 5023 4.5
Management Accounting M ACCT 5016 4.5
Elective 4.5 Note(s): 3 Rule(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5, or 6)
Auditing Principles ACCT 5014 4.5
Research for Business Decision Making BUSS 5397 4.5
Contemporary Issues in Accounting M ACCT 5015 4.5
Taxation ACCT 5017 4.5 Rule(s): 5
  • Electives minus-thick plus-thick
    Course name Area and cat no. Units
    Accounting/Finance
    Advanced Corporate Finance BUSS 5228 4.5
    Managing Financial Risk BANK 5016 4.5
    Behavioural Finance BANK 5018 4.5
    International Finance BANK 5028 4.5
    Global Banking and Financial Management BANK 5031 4.5
    CPA Ethics and Governance M BUSS 5426 4.5
    Mobility, Placements and Suggested Electives - please note that not all electives will be run every year
    Business Virtual Study Tour - Postgraduate BUSS 5411 4.5
    Business Internship G BUSS 5431 9
    Professional Consulting Project BUSS 5434 4.5
    Virtual Industry Internship G BUSS 5443 4.5
    Social Enterprise Case Competition G BUSS 5445 4.5
    Tax Clinic M ACCT 5032 4.5
    Business Practicum G BUSS 5396 4.5
    Economics
    Money, Banking and Global Financial Markets ECON 5024 4.5
    Issues in International Trade BUSS 5348 4.5
    Management
    Managing Across Cultures BUSS 5349 4.5
    Negotiation BUSS 5355 4.5
    Managing the Global Workforce BUSS 5302 4.5
    Doing Business in Asia BUSS 5347 4.5
    Project Management for Business BUSS 5139 4.5
    Strategic Concepts BUSS 5074 4.5
    Workplace Health and Safety Management BUSS 5399 4.5
    Business Ethics BUSS 5384 4.5
    Forecasting for Decision Making BUSS 5427 4.5
    Marketing
    eMarketing MARK 5080 4.5
    Advanced Marketing Analytics MARK 5064 4.5
    Brand Management MARK 5031 4.5
    Transition to Masters pathway
    Financial Theory and Financial Markets BANK 5014 4.5
    International Finance BANK 5028 4.5
  • Rules & notes minus-thick plus-thick

    Rules

    1. Students who have taken, for another award, a course which is substantially equivalent to a course from the program schedule have two options. They may be granted up to one third of the program in credit or may substitute a course of equal standing and unit value, with the approval of the Program Director. Credit will only be granted for courses undertaken at postgraduate level in a qualification that has not been used as the basis for Advanced Standing.

    2. The Program Director may approve variations to the program of study for a student by substituting courses from the program schedule with courses from other graduate level programs in this or another university.

    3. Applicants who have completed a bachelor degree in a business discipline or who hold a bachelor degree which includes a major in business, commerce, marketing or management or applicants who have completed a graduate certificate in a business discipline are eligible to enter the program with 0.5 EFTSL (18 units) Advanced Standing in lieu of these courses and complete the program in 1.5 years of full time study or equivalent part time study.

    4. Students undertaking a Transition to Masters pathway will receive credit for this course.

    5. Students undertaking the Transition to Masters pathway between the Bachelor of Business (Financial Planning) and Master of Professional Accounting will be prescribed a substitute course in place of completing this course

    Notes

    1. For graduates to satisfy the tertiary education requirements of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, all courses in the program schedule of the Master of Professional Accounting must be taken, unless an equivalent course has been taken from another award.

    2. Students who wish to satisfy entry requirements for CPA Australia are not required to complete this course. Students may choose to replace this course with any other postgraduate course offered by UniSA Business and for which they meet the prerequisite requirements. Course replacements require the approval of the Program Director.

    3. Electives should be chosen from the nominated list. Students undertaking the Transition to Masters program should only choose electives from the nominated group. See Transition to Masters pathway electives list. In completing any elective identified as a "CPA subject" you will not qualify as a CPA. To qualify as a CPA, you must meet ALL the requirements of the CPA Program as set by CPA Australia. Students completing "CPA subjects" will incur additional fees from CPA Australia in order to sit CPA Australia's exam.

    4. Completion of this course is not required for those students who qualify for advanced standing. The assessment of advanced standing is done for the purpose of admission and determining the duration of the program only so that you meet the requirements of the Master degree. This does not guarantee that the remaining courses will meet the requirements of the accrediting bodies. For assessment of your prior qualification for accreditation purposes please contact Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand or CPA Australia.

    5. Students coming in through the CIMA or ACCA pathway will be required to study this course.

    6. Students coming in through the CIMA or ACCA pathway are not required to study this course.

    7. Students who receive Advanced Standing in this program who have not already successfully completed this course are strongly advised to undertake this course in place of one of their Electives prior to undertaking any of their Accounting Specialisation courses.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is accredited by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and satisfies the educational requirements for entry into the Chartered Accountants Program.

The program is accredited by CPA Australia and satisfies the educational requirements for entry into the CPA Program.

This program is recognised for maximum exemptions toward the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants' (ACCA) professional programs of study.

Program Director

Mr Scott Copeland arrow-small-right
Primary director

Contact us

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

For further information please visit unisa.edu.au/study
Information correct at the time of publication. CRICOS provider number 00121B.
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